Clayton Edward Paxton (1877-1908)

PAXTON, CURTISS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/5/2014 at 23:42:04

From Ames Intelligencer December 12, 1908

CLAYTON EDWARD PAXTON

Clayton Edward Paxton was born in Ames, Iowa July 14, 1877, and died in Nevada, Iowa, December 9, 1908, in his thirty-second year. He was married to Miss Gertrude Curtiss at the home of her parents in Nevada October 25, 1905. He passed away in the same room in which the wedding took place.

He had taken his junior year at Iowa State College and had hoped to finish his studies at an early date. For over five years he has been an accountant in the Chicago offices of the C. & N. W. railroad freight division, residing in Maywood, where he had built a home and occupied it for a year or more. It was a brave fight he made with typhoid fever, and to us all it was with sincere regret that he could not win. He was of stately figure and gracious bearing, with a countenance fair to look upon, speaking a genuine sympathy in the affairs of all whom he met.

He was open-handed and unostentatious--a Christian gentleman. his lips and heart were clean. All who knew him admired him--his relations and friend loved him. Only good words have been spoken of him. His religious life was pre-eminently cheerful and attractive. He served for while as assistant superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school in Maywood and stood ready to serve in every good work for his fellow men. The passing from earth's circle of a life so radiant, admired and commanding raises many a question that is perplexing, and concerning which Folly alone will rush in with its human solutions.

"Being perplexed I say,
Lord make it right!
Night is as day to thee--
Darkness as light.
I am afraid to touch things
That involve so much
My trembling hand may shake,
My skilless hand may break,
Thine can make no mistake.

Being in doubt, I say,
Lord make it plain!
Which is the true, safe way?
Which would be vain?
I am not wise to know,
Nor sure of heart to go;
My blind dyes cannot see
What is no plain to thee,
Lord make it clear to me."

The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of his mother, Mrs. Rachael Paxton. To her and to the wife and brothers the sympathy of a great community of friendly hearts is raised in praise of him who lived well and in prayer for those who are bereft. The services were conducted by Rev. William J. Minchin of the Congregational Church and the interment was int he City cemetery. Mrs. L. C. Tilden sang "Face to Face," and Mrs Tilden and Mrs. Maxwell sand, "Lead, Kindly Light." Mr. George DeGrasse sang "Nearer My God to Thee." Seven of his office companions came from Chicago to attend the services. The pallbearers were George E. Williams, William Leary, A. R. Godknecht of Chicago, Mr. Harry Brown, Wilson Rich and George Wolf. The friends present from a distance were Mrs. Charles Hood, Battle Creek, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Curtiss, Nevada; Mrs. E. J. Campbell, Fort Worth, Texas; Mr. L. B. Craig, Davenport; Mr. and Mrs. William Winter, Rockford, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sargent, Boone; Mrs. Shaw, Omaha, Mr. E. T. Shepard and daughter, Gilbert; Miss McNichols, Nevada; Miss Couniham, Nevada; Mr. G. W. Wolf, Maywood, Ill.; Harry G. Lorenzen, Mr. N. J. Houff and Mr. George Grote, all of Chicago.